Yummy Vanilla Strawberry Cupcakes

So I have been trying to perfect a simple and a quick way to make delicious cupcakes!
I attempted to follow recipes from books and online but they just didn't seem right.
I still have to find the perfect measurements for the "perfect" cupcakes but this is a very good one.

What you need:

125g of butter (at room temperature) - If you are having trouble figuring out how much 125grams is (like i was) try 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon of butter.
1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons of caster sugar (sifted)
2 large eggs (at room temperature)
1 cup of flour (sifted) + 1 teaspoon of baking soda (or just use self rising flour)
3 tablespoons of milk (warm, 10 seconds in a microwave)
1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract/essence
a pinch of salt

-> Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C


Step 1:
Put the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and butter in a bowl. Then mix together with either a handheld or free-stand mixer. (if you do not have either, you can mix with a fork, it just takes longer.. and you're arm hurts after a while!) Beat on slow speed until there is a sandy consistency and everything is combined. Gradually pour HALF of the milk and beat until incorporated.

Step 2:
In a sepereate bowl whisk the eggs, vanilla extract and remaining milk together for a few seconds, then pour into the flour mixture slowly and beat until incorporated. REMEMBER do not over mix!

Step 3:
Get a 12 muffin tray and evenly scoop mixture. TIP: use an ice cream scoop that has an automatic release for perfect even cupcakes!

Step 4:
Bake in the oven for around 20 minutes. If cupcakes are bouncy and when a toothpick poked through comes back out clean, they are ready.

Step  5:
Cool for 15 minutes in tray then remove and let cool outside of tray for a few minutes. TIP: when decorating, remove the baking cups, this is so the guests or whoever are eating them don't have to remove them themselves!


Vanilla Icing

Yummy icing topped with fresh strawberries!


What you need:
125g of butter (at room temperature)
3 cups of icing sugar (sifted)
1/2 teaspoon of vanilla essence/extract
1/4 cup of warm milk

Step 1:
Beat icing sugar and butter together in a medium to slow speed.

Step2:
Combine the milk and vanilla extract in a seperate bowl then add to the butter mix slowly.

Step 3:
Once all the milk has been incorporated, turn the mixer up to high speed and continue beating, until the frosting is light and fluffy, (around 5 minutes)

Now DECORATE! Which is the best part!

For these cupcakes I decided to separate the icing into two bowls and make one pink and one green! (with food colouring)

You can use icing tools but i decided to just use a knife and pile it on.

Strawberries: I cut the strawberries into hearts and used the leftover bits to sprinkle on the cupcakes.

Now ENJOY!!
Yum yum.. It was a hit in my house :)

 Just wanted to share what my dog looks like when i try to make her look cute.. That is a black bow on her head (that she is trying REALLY hard to remove!) HAHAHAHA

={)
Have an amazing weekend xxx